A MAN has gone on trial charged with sexually molesting 12 young girls.

Robert Alan Jackson, 49, of Northfield Avenue, Pontefract, was arrested after one of his victims saw him and decided she 'could bear living with the abuse no longer', a jury heard.

Manchester Crown Court heard Jackson 'systematically abused' his victims while living in West Didsbury.

He has pleaded not guilty to 55 counts of child abuse on young girls dating back to the 80s.

The court heard that one of the victims was bullied and isolated at school because of her encounters with Jackson, who was labelled a 'paedo' or 'pervert' by other children.

The jury was told he would 'hit, strike or punch' the girl as well as sexually abusing her, leaving her in 'constant fear'.

Prosecuting, Elizabeth Nicholls said that Jackson made his victim 'feel that in some way she was at fault and that if she was to tell someone she would be taken away.'

'Cowering'

Speaking of Jackson's alleged violence towards a victim, she added: "There appeared to be no logic as to when the defendant would strike, this uncertainty led to the complainant's unease and fear."

Jackson's behaviour left the girl 'cowering' and 'physically sick', the court heard. The victim recalled that the abuse escalated around the time she learnt how to ride a bike and that when she first got a mobile phone Jackson would text her saying 'I want you to do me a favour' before abusing her.

The girl ended up encouraging other girls to take part in 'magic tricks' with Jackson, it was alleged. When one complained he told her to 'stop being mardy about it'.

The court heard one of the girls consented to the abuse in an effort to 'shield' his main victim. She later told police of the abuse and an investigation was launched in October last year. Another youngster was invited to take part in a 'clothes off' game and pleaded: "Can't we play a game like Monopoly?"

Meanwhile, another victim recalled Jackson making advances towards her after her school's Christmas party.

Jackson's twelfth victim was the last to come forward. The court heard she was targeted ten years before the other 11 girls who say they were abused while Jackson was living in West Didsbury.

Ms Nicholls said: "The complainants have had the same memory of the discomfort of the defendant summoning them."

Before opening the case Ms Nicholls said although cases of this kind evoke strong emotions the jury should 'put aside any emotional responses and decide this case solely on the evidence.'